The live rounds became routine – the army sealing off more areas, declaring them “live fire zones”: places where you can expect to get shot.
The protestors expanded their field of influence – settling in it seemed to the north, in the area of Din Daeng, and opening an entirely new stage in the south, down near Klong Toy.
And today was when the idea of talks being the solution to this seemed to finally evaporate. What’s left of the protests shattered and bickering leadership said they would talk if the UN was involved and the shooting stopped.
The government – who, unsurprisingly, with an entire army at their call, realise they have the upper hand – said no. They demanded surrender, and told women and children to get out. We’ll not see a curfew tonight, but we will perhaps tomorrow.
This is pushing itself to a close. We’ve seen the protestors so emboldened; they treat sectors of the city as their own. We’ve seen the government now so in awe of their own might, they say they don’t want to talk.
One announcement today was key: tomorrow and Tuesday will be public holidays in the city. Stay at home people, the government say – they’ve got to bring this to a close.
Loud blasts have filled the sky around our office block. The end of this feels like it is getting nearer.